The South Africa team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 13-run victory over West Indies in the first Twenty20 International in Antigua on Wednesday.
Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Graeme Smith’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.
As such, Smith has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players receive 10-per-cent fines. Smith was guilty of a similar offence in T20Is during the ICC World Twenty20 2010 and, under the terms of the ICC Code of Conduct, if he is guilty of three in total in this format of the game over a 12-month period, he will automatically receive a one-match suspension.
The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the code which relates to minor over-rate offences. The penalty was accepted by South Africa without contest so there was no need for a hearing.
